Sven Küchler

Sven Küchler (1729-1779), also spelled Kuechler, was a Colonel in the army of Hesse-Kassel, commanding a large portion of Hessians sent to the Thirteen Colonies in 1775. He was killed in the Battle of Morristown in 1779.

Biography
Küchler was from Cassel in the German city-state of Hesse-Kassel in central Germany. He served with distinction in the Seven Years War in the 1750s in the Prussian army, and became a Colonel in the army of Hessen. Küchler's career decisively took off in 1775 when he was made the commander of Hessians sent to fight in the American Revolutionary War, raiding the Frontier. He attacked a Mohawk village loyal to the Patriots, and although the captives were freed by Nathaniel Black's attack, the Iroquois Confederacy broke up.

Sven Küchler participated in the New York Campaign of 1776, and was in charge of a portion of the Hessians before the Battle of Trenton. He said to his men to enjoy their evening, sending out only one patrol. That night, on 31 December, the Patriots ambushed Johann Rall's command and the Hessians were decisively defeated. Küchler escaped responsibility for the defeat, and proceeded to fight in the Saratoga Campaign. He was prevented from crossing the Hudson River when Nathaniel Black blew up the only ferry across the river, so he could not reinforce John Burgoyne's army.

He finally got a chance to attack the Patriots at the Battle of Morristown in early 1779, but his fort was destroyed by Black's army. He attempted an all-out attack on Morristown itself, but was shot by a sniper in an outpost tower, and died of wounds.